The theoretical investigations and the feminist contentions a critical study of the select works of arundhati roy and gita hariharan

Abstract

The present thesis entitled The Theoretical investigations and the Feminist newlineContentions: A Critical Study of the Select Works of Arundhati Roy and Gita newlineHariharan aims to analyse the fictional works of these two writers with reference to newlinetheir stance against patriarchal elements and treatment of feminist philosophy through newlinetheir plots, themes, characters and narrative style. newlineThe works of these two writers bear the stamp of genuine concern for the newlinesuppressed Indian woman, who struggles to free herself from the centuries-old shackles newlineimposed to them in the name of tradition and religion. And their works also take a broad newlinesurvey of Indian settings, with all its complexities such as the caste system, class divide, newlinevarious political discourse and set-ups cultural and other bearings, the upward economic newlinemobility of the middle class and the consequent changes and challenge at home and newlineoutside. Their works have women characters rooted to soil yet pining to soar up in the newlinesky with wings of dreams and aspirations. newlineThe women in their novels were not either demi-goddess or demons; they were newlinemore human a mixture of virtues and views, reflecting truly the Indian woman trapped in newlinesocial and religious injunctions. These writers also boldly attempted to show women newlinecharacters who questioned culture and tradition which enslaved them. Their newlinecharacters became the voice of the voiceless and also their identity and liberation became newlinethe inspiration for many women readers. The researcher finds the awakening of the newlinewomen s consciousness in these writers novels and the resultant rebellion and changes newlinethat occur within and outside leading to some kind of resolution that successfully tames newlinethe inimical forces of life. Hence, this work could bring out a new Indian woman, who newlinecould be a free spirited eternal fighter in search of goals and glory. newline